DMU Operations: Scottish Region
Craigendoran - Arrochar and Tarbet
Railbuses were introduced to this service on Monday 2nd November 1959. There were connections at Craigendoran to and from Dumbarton and Glasgow. Rhu was re-opened as an unstaffed halt for the service (not on the map, it was between Helensburgh Upper and Shandon).
DMUs were also used on the route, a good example being in summer 1963 where there was a Glasgow - Ardlui service.
The service was withdrawn on 15th June 1964, with the closure of Craigendoran Upper, Rhu Halt, Shandon, Whistlefield and Glen Douglas stations. A Saturday diesel Glasgow - Ardlui service remained in the summer 1964 timetable.
Sample Timetables
2nd November 1959 to 12th June 1960
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in Table 34 (0.5 mb pdf).
13th June to 11th September 1960
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in Table 34 (0.7 mb pdf).
12th September 1960 to 11th June 1961
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in Table 34 (0.4 mb pdf).
12th June to 10th September 1961
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in Table 34 (0.5 mb pdf).
11th September 1961 to 17th June 1962
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in Table 34 (0.5 mb pdf).
18th June to 9th September 1962
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in Table 34 (0.8 mb pdf).
10th September 1962 to 16th June 1963
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in Table 34 (0.4 mb pdf).
17th June to 18th September 1963
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in Table 34 (0.6 mb pdf).
9th September 1963 to 14th June 1964
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in Table 34 (0.5 mb pdf).
15th June to 6th September 1964
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in Table 34 (0.7 mb pdf).
Images
November 1959
This was an official British Railways image that was also issued as a postcard. Taken at Glen Douglas (nowadays a passing place between Garelochhead and Arrochar & Tarbet stations) it is almost certainly Sc79969 when it was introduced to the Craigendoran - Arrochar & Tarbet service in November 1959. British Railways.
November 1959
Wickham railbus SC79969 poses at Glen Douglas station for a publicity image, one that would appear on the cover of the January 1961 Scottish Region edition of the British Railways staff magazine. The vehicle has Arrochar on the destination blind, an almost identical image (number 8985 on here) displays Craigendoran. British Railways.
November 1959
Wickham railbus Sc79969 departs from Craigendoran for Arrochar and Tarbet in November 1959. British Railways.
9th November 1959
A Scottish Region publicity image (negative 11390) showing Wickham railbus Sc79969 at Arrochar & Tarbet station on 9 November 1959. It had started working the Arrochar - Craigendoran service the week before on the 2nd. Image courtesy of the AA MacLean collection. British Railways.
9th November 1959
A Scottish Region publicity image (negative 11392) thought to show 79969 on 9 November 1959. The caption reads "DIESEL RAILBUS CRAIGENDORAN - ARROCHAR AND TARBET SERVICE Diesel railbus above Loch Long. This railbus, which seats 48 passengers, replaced the 'Push and Pull' steam trains on this service from 2nd November 1959. Railbus was built by D. Wickham & Co. of Ware." Image courtesy of the AA MacLean collection. British Railways.
1960
Sc79969, probably at Arrochar & Tarbet in early 1960. Hamish Stevenson.
8th August 1960
Park Royal railbus 79971 in Arrochar & Tarbet station while working the Craigendoran shuttles on 8 August 1960. Mike McDonald Collection.
Unknown date
A Park Royal railbus (SC79970 or SC79974) in Arrochar and Tarbet station, date unknown. It will be working the shuttle to Craigendoran. Stuart Mackay Collection.
December 1961
Park Royal railbus M79971 at Craigendoran in December 1961. It is heading to the upper platforms where it will form a service to Arrochar. Stuart Mackay Collection.
early 1960s
Park Royal built Railbus SC79971 at Arrochar and Tarbet in the early 1960s. Phil Bevan.
Unknown date
Park Royal railbus Sc79970 arriving into Garelochhead station, probably on an Arrochar - Craigendoran service. Paul Redmond.
30th May 1964
On the 30th May 1964 a Class 101 enters Helensburgh Upper, the first stop for the 2.10pm Craigendoran - Ardlui service. Craigendoran was on the outskirts of Helensburgh where these services connected with the North Clyde electric services. Hamish Stevenson.